#KogiGovRace: Meet top contenders for Kogi PDP Gubernatorial Primaries

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Sam Egwu X-rays the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the upcoming Kogi State governorship election.

Soon, the die would be cast within the ruling party in Kogi State – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-with regards to who clinches the party’s gubernatorial ticket for the November 21, 2015, governorship election in the state.

Within the limit of observation so far in the PDP, only three persons have decided to present themselves for service to the people of Kogi State. Amongst those who believe they have what it takes to win the race for the PDP ticket are the incumbent governor, Capt Idris Ichalla Wada, Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho and Comrade Mohammed Ali.

The PDP would likely have a handful in withstanding the intending onslaught by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the poll, given the the change mantra and the perceived below par performances of the incumbent PDP governor and his predecessor from the same party, Ibrahim Idris.

Idris Wada
Capt Idris Wada’s attempt at having a second tenure has the blessing of many in the state for being a humble and silent achiever. They cherish him for not being publicity-hungry for every little thing he does in the state. Wada, a trained pilot, is noted to be humble and humane; and radiates charm and the charisma of a political leader in the state. He stamped out gangsterism and thuggery, one of the major plagues that militated against development in Kogi state. This largely sold him to the hearts of the people of the state.
Wada’s unsung performance indices according to Jide Yakubu, an analyst said, include the cement company at Allo, Itobe; diagnostic centre in Lokoja; Kogi Hotels, and modern motorpark. Jide opined that these were enough to have made headlines in the state if Wada was the type that plays to the gallery. The perceived truimph of propaganda against Wada’s government in the state, according to findings, comes down to the decision of the governor’s media team not to respond to every propaganda. Again, Wada is believed by ordinary people in the state to have performed well enough to deserve a second term.

However, the PDP in the state appears to be at a crossroad even as time for the governorship election fast approaches. Already, a storm is seriously gathering against Wada within the party. Wada’s other major problem, as observed by political watchers in the state, is that those around him are not on the same page with him in terms of how to get results. LEADERSHIP Sunday also gathered that many of them allegedly have divided loyalty to the state chief executive.

Jibrin Isah Echocho
He is a business man. Alhaji Echocho has also been touted to be the people’s choice for the PDP ticket and a worthy successor to Wada. He is said to have the welfare of Kogi civil servants close to his heart and as such, is believed to have earned the sympathy of members of the state’s workforce. He also stands out as someone who is passionate about uplifting and empowering the youths of the state. It is widely believed that Echocho actually won in the 2011 primary to fly the ticket of PDP in the 2011 governor election in the state, but was muscled out by powers-that-be in the PDP, who came up with another result that rather favoured Wada. Despite the 2011 failure, the hearts of many Kogites are still much with him as he bids again for Lugard House.

Mohammed Ali
He is a youngman that came to political limelight, way back in 2003, through student unionism. Since then, there has been no stopping with his ambition to lead the state. From 2003 till date, he has had the massive support of the state’s student population, as well as some strong backbone from powerful members of the PDP both in the state and at the national level. However, Sule Ojima, a political observer in the state, thinks that Alih is over-stretching his ambition. Alih’s youths support base, Ojima says, may enable him spring a surprise, but not enough to earn him any victory.